Search for black role models - Yahoo! News UK

A national campaign to find role models for black youths has been launched as the Government struggles to get to grips with knife crime.

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said the drive was "crucial" to helping disadvantaged young people fulfil their potential and head off social problems.

At least 20 black role models from all walks of life will be chosen by a panel made up of Ozwald Boateng, the Savile Row designer, Tim Campbell, entrepreneur and winner of TV's The Apprentice, Leroy Logan, a Scotland Yard chief superintendent, and Simon Woolley, founder and director of Operation Black Vote.

Those selected will then tour schools and young offenders' institutions, and take part in events in a bid to show black youths - who are disproportionately likely to become embroiled in crime and violence - what can be achieved.

The Reach project was first unveiled by Ms Blears last December. She said there were thousands of candidates, and the Government was determined to harness their influence.

"It is crucial that we improve the life chances of young black boys," she said. "Too few black men and boys are achieving their full potential and the consequences of that are being seen socially and economically.

"There needs to be a collective effort to combat underachievement and low aspirations amongst our young black men. These kids need realistic alternatives to show them that every opportunity is available to them."

A website - REACH : Directgov - has been set up for would-be role models, and the selection process runs until September 2.

Super Coon's to the rescue! .lol.

If you can't walk through broadwater farm late at night without a bulletproof jacket you're not a role model. Would be a good test, they should include it as a practical part of the screening process.

What is a role model anyway? Surely its more about the family unit and cultural values than a stint on t.v or some badge of honor?

Search for black role models

national campaign to find role models for black youths has been launched as the Government struggles to get to grips with knife crime.
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said the drive was "crucial" to helping disadvantaged young people fulfil their potential and head off social problems.

At least 20 black role models from all walks of life will be chosen by a panel made up of Ozwald Boateng, the Savile Row designer, Tim Campbell, entrepreneur and winner of TV's The Apprentice, Leroy Logan, a Scotland Yard chief superintendent, and Simon Woolley, founder and director of Operation Black Vote.

Those selected will then tour schools and young offenders' institutions, and take part in events in a bid to show black youths - who are disproportionately likely to become embroiled in crime and violence - what can be achieved.

The Reach project was first unveiled by Ms Blears last December. She said there were thousands of candidates, and the Government was determined to harness their influence.

"It is crucial that we improve the life chances of young black boys," she said. "Too few black men and boys are achieving their full potential and the consequences of that are being seen socially and economically.

"There needs to be a collective effort to combat underachievement and low aspirations amongst our young black men. These kids need realistic alternatives to show them that every opportunity is available to them."

A website - REACH : Directgov - has been set up for would-be role models, and the selection process runs until September 2.

The Press Association: Search for black role models

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The REAL role models are either banned from the country or are already putting in work in the community i.e. Ligali.

This patronising crap is in itself racist and deeply offensive. What about all the knife crime in Glasgow perpetrated by white youth - who don't suffer the same stigmas as African youth - which, statistically, is worse than London?

Plus who told Hazel Blears we wanted her two pence added on anything to do with our communityin the first place??

So because Tim Campbell won the apprentice that means poor youth on Stonebridge estate are automatically going to listen to him? Wtf?

Hmmmm...to be honest BP..it would depend in what context you were talking about...if i'm honest...I would not ask you to model good or constructive behaviour on sentivity or relationships...because you have all the subtlty of a brick dropped from ten feet on someone's head....

But if i were looking for someone to teach self discipline, and to develop a healty regime to develop a healthy body then you sir would be my go to guy.....

I remember upsetting a few people when talking about the value of 'role models' BP...this is where people like you and the government get it totally wrong, and to be honest don't have a clue... ANY BLACK face won't do... being hard working and good is NOT enough, having your heart in the right place is great but will only get you soo far...and thats the issue I have with this rhetoric...

Think about it you've got damaged individuals who have been that way for say 11, 14, 16 years...and suddenly a BLACK face is supposed to turn all that learnt behaviour around in 16 days please!!! can people really be THAT stupid...

Any father who split from their partner will tell you just how difficult it is to PARENT a child at weekends, so imagine how difficult it will be when that child is not YOURS...

What i'm saying is just plonking a black hard working, good hearted face in front of a child just isn't going to help UNLESS you have additional skills to COMMUNICATE, to help a child reflect and build reasonable and achievable goals in a structured way, unless you have the ability defuse potential conflicts, to talk through and help that child with painful disclosures...

If anyone has seen that programme on channel five yesterday, banged up, or something of that elk... You'd see that even with tough talking and tough love, just how frustrating it is to make a break through with these type of young adults..and these are people who are banged up in a pretend prison for two weeks together... try making THAT connection when you only have moments to make it work...

You throw into the mix drugs...and jesus christ..I shit you not when i tell you that these are some of THE toughest people to try and reach...without doubt bar none!!!

So Black power I do think within a very strict parameters YOu would be a good leader/role model.... Especially funnily enough with Drug addicted people...because you would know enough about physical health and training regimes to do a very good job..[now some would be surprised to hear me say that] But I say to you that there is no doubt in my mind that you would be an asset in THAT context...and you could and would do an outstanding job supporting people in that context.... but in any other I'd say no..seriously because I think outside of those parameters you would struggle to sustain a meaningful working relationship, with someone who is very likely to test your powers of restraint to the limit.. thats my take.. based on what i know of you...